Turkish machinery player in expansion mode

Feature article for the March/April issue of ERJ magazine

Izmit, Turkey – Uzer Makina, which is focused on tire curing processes, including tire curing presses, container mechanisms, and tire curing moulds and bladder moulds said it has almost doubled its manufacturing scale over the last two years.

In 2014, the number of presses produced by the Turkish company increased 15 percent. Mould production, meanwhile, increased 40 percent, while the number of containers – the mechanism to connect presses and moulds – reached maximum capacity.

The expansion is linked, in part to projects by Bridgestone and Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which have started new investments for two greenfield plants in Turkey. Uzer Makina said it will be the main supplier for these two new plants in terms of curing press, container and mould manufacturing.

Uzer Makina said it has allocated 20 percent of its turnover for a phased investment programme.

The first step is a 2500 m2 closed area for laser cutting of sheet metal, described as “a very important expansion for manufacturing plans in using own cutting machinery and own material storage.”

Uzer Makina’s managers foresee that “the time of [its] manufacturing processes will be shorter than last year: avoiding delays or long lead times [in] this way.”

The second step involves buying high-tech machines, including five new CNC-machines to expand capacity for 2015 and subsequent years.

“2014 is the best year ever for our company with our high quality production and increasing sales figures,” said Uzer Makina director Seyfullah Bozkurt. “Now we are excited to welcome 2015 with our investment so to play our role in supporting the tire business for global customers.’

On the innovation front, the Turkish company has recently developed an hydraulic press concept for the production of radial tires for passenger cars and light vehicles. The patented ‘Floating Column’ press features floating main columns and is said to avoid the need for an additional mould height adjustment system.